Burr Oak

Greg Manning was a Tuesday afternoon visitor of Cliff and Glenny Barnes.

Mary Foley and Walt Wilson picked up the government commodities in Belleville last Wednesday morning and delivered them to the Christian Church basement for sorting and boxing. Volunteers helping were Kelley Bunting, Gary and Penny Turner, Cliff and Glenny Barnes, Peggy Wilson and Mary Foley. The next commodity delivery will be Feb. 17.

David Vopat, Mankato, visited Cliff and Glenny Barnes on Thursday.

Cliff and Glenny Barnes visited their niece, Christy Meline, in Red Cloud on Friday afternoon.

Cliff and Glenny Barnes are enjoying being able to attend school and sports activities of their granddaughter and great-grandchildren. On Friday evening they went to Red Cloud to watch their great-granddaughter, Paisley Ord, play basketball. It was Parents’ Night and before the A girls’ game, introductions of players and student managers were announced. Lillian Barnes, Olivia and Jerzie Ord, are student managers, and Paisley Ord is a member of the team. On Saturday afternoon, the Barnes returned to Red Cloud to watch great-grandsons, Thomas, Remington and Kooper Ord, play basketball with the Red Cloud youth teams.

“Take the Name of Jesus With You” opened the worship service Sunday at the Burr Oak United Methodist Church. Pastor Les Ellis welcomed everyone to the service and gave announcements. The “Call to Worship” was from Matthew 3:13-17 telling us of the baptism of John and Jesus. A reading by Dee Reed told of a conversation between man and God reassuring us that God is always with us and not to despair, he never sleeps. Pastor Ellis spoke from Mark 1:4-11 on “Baptism.” To be baptized, one needs to have a change of heart, let Jesus come into their heart, and accept Him into their lives. Matt Boyles served as usher. Judy and Dee gave a report on several ideas for the Community Help project. Fellowship time was hosted by Ron and Dee Reed.

Pastor Richard Cox’s message at the Burr Oak Christian Church on Sunday morning was entitled “Gone Fishing.” His selected scripture reading was Mark 1:14-20. This portion of scripture tells of the transition from John the Baptist’s ministry to the ministry of Jesus. John’s ministry told of the coming of the Messiah; whereas Jesus’ ministry was to bring the message that God’s Kingdom was near. Jesus called the first four of his disciples and they were all fishermen. When He called them to follow Him, they immediately left what they were doing and followed Him. It was a decision that changed their lives forever. Jesus made them fishers of men. God’s grace is free to all but it costs us all we are and all we have. Just as the disciples were participants in Jesus’ ministry not spectators, so we are also called to be participants not just spectators. We learn from the fishing analogy that we need to be where the “fish” are and we need to have the right “bait.” We need to help people see the benefit of having a relationship with God. Are we as followers of Christ just cutting bait or are we going fishing?

Quite a bit of snow fell in Burr Oak from Sunday night to Monday night. No official amount has been given but from the looks of this writer’s patio table, there must have been around 10 inches. It was a wet snow which will be beneficial to the farm ground in the surrounding area.

The 150th Burr Oak Birthday Celebration committee will meet at 5 p.m., at the Grate Expectations Cafe on Feb. 6.